Not really eating food? Bit worried?

[Lill]

Blue has been off his food past two days.

Sat evening he didn't eat it all, and yesterday it took 3 attempts for him to eat what would usually be his breakfast.

I haven't changed anything recently the only thing thats changed is he had his freezemark on weds but that can't be connected can it?

He wasn't really eating it this morning either.

Not like him

, he is usually greedy pig who takes his time but licks the bucket clean.

 

[Birker2020]

There have been a few posts over the last month about horses going off their feeds. Generally its not much to worry about, I think its to do with the weather and the general depression both humans and horses feel at this time of the year.

I'd just keep an eye on him and see what his general demeanour is like. If you are still worried call the vet.

 

[catherine22]

my mare hasnt been eating her bucket food recently shes been more worried about getting to her haylage and eating that!

 

[teddyt]

Perhaps your horse is in discomfort following the freezemarking?

 

[Bethcyrilandchina]

Thats exactly what my horse did. Suddenly he just went of his food, i hadnt changed anything he just decided he didnt like the food i was currently giving him. Try and change his food slightly thats what i did and it picked up his appetite again. Put carrocts and apples or faviourite treat in his food to encourage him to eat. Hope this helps.

 

[hellybelly6]

Try adding in mint or molasses.

My horse is eating his feed, but not all of it at the moment. He is usually a greedy guts. He has been inside due to the snow and I suppose this could be upsetting him. He is herd leader.

 

[Damnation]

Maybe for a few days just take everything out bar the chop and feed him just the chop with some carrots and apples in it? Then slowly introduce the rest of what you are feeding him one by one. He might of suddenly taken a dislike to the mix or a suppliment you are feeding. My mare has been known to do this

 

[SNORKEY]

Our older mare has just gone off her feed, which is really annoying as she has an expensive supplement added into it, we've tried just giving her mix, and putting treats in it but she's still not eating, hope she starts in the next couple of days or we'l have to get the vet out, as she's too old not to eat.

 

[Lill]

Tried the apple and carrot thing and he ate... the apples and carrots!!

Got a new chaff on Monday and it obviously smells and tastes nicer because he has managed to eat his food since having this one PHEW!!

Last night he ate it all too, he's not licking the bucket clean but at least he is eating it all...

 

[lynspop]

Few of my liveries are having similar problems. Horses are very keen to eat their hay/haylage but not so much their feeds. I think its down to the reduced workload and reduced turnout. We have cut feed sizes down and also removed supplements for a few days as well as adding some treats to the feed.
They seem to go back to normal when normal turnout or an increased workload is reintroduced

 

[Lill]

He hasn't had any less turnout really, and only the 3-4 days off after the freezemarking... he was ok last night too hopefully its all back to normal now!